Maternity Exemption Card

I filled in the form for a maternity exemption form when I found out i was pregnant (GP didn't want to see me due to lack of appointments and asked me to self refer to hospital which I've done).

This was a few weeks ago but I hadn't received anything so went to the surgery. They said the GP had rejected my form as there was no note of my pregnancy on file and that I'll have to come back once I've had my 12 week scan as proof?

Has anyone else experienced this? I had to pay for some pretty pricey dental work that I thought I'd be exempt for and previously I was told that the exemption is valid from start of pregnancy?

I didn't get the form to fill out until my booking in appointment which I had at about 8 weeks pregnant. It took about 2 or 3 weeks for official bit of paper to come back once it had been posted in. If I remember correctly it was signed by my midwife, but I definitely didn't have to wait until my scan to get it.

Thanks all. No it's not the MATB1, I know i can't get that yet, is the exemption for dental and prescriptions. I've already had my booking appointment and mentioned it but the midwife but she said the GP should give it to me ( I didn't know it had been rejected at that point as just found that out today). Not long to go until my 12 week scan so might just wait now anyway but it's just a bit annoying.

I think mine was done by my midwife at the booking appointment (around 9 weeks), but she did it wrong and it got sent back to me. I had to chase it up with the GP, was a massive pain. Although you can claim stuff back I think as long as you keep the receipts.

My GP did mine when I was 6 weeks as I got HG and needed medications for it so it meant I got the prescriptions free then. However the midwife can do it, I have no idea why your midwife essentially refused, or why your GP is now refusing as clearly there must be a note on file that you're pregnant now? I'd call the midwife and ask them to do it and explain you need it asap.

I didn't get mine until my 16 we k appointment and they filled it all in. I had had my 12 week scan obviously and they had given me a letter at the hospital for my gp to say I was pregnant and getting my care at that hospital, maybe they have to wait until then? I got told you don't get prescriptions all the way through but it is from something like week twenty that's why they don't fill the form in earlier

Pregger That is incorrect, you are entitled to the free prescriptions/dental etc as soon as you are pregnant and the GP/midwife can apply for it at any point once they've confirmed you're pregnant. As I said, I got mine about 6 weeks.

You can claim back your dental charges. Go to the gov.uk site and there is an online form ( I think it is HC5) you can fill in. You will need your receipt from your dentist and your exemption cert when you receive it. The will need the dates your treatment started and finished the BSA will confirm these with your dentist along with the charge you paid then refund the money.